Eagle watching is popular free and fun community event for numerous areas across the state! The first eagles arrive in December, and most leave by mid-March. January and February are the best months to see eagles, whether at a state park or wildlife refuge, here is a list of some of the best locations to see our protected national birds:
- Starved Rock State Park: Uticia
- Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge: Marion
- Quincy Bald Eagle Watch: At Lock and Dam 21 in Quincy
- Carlyle Lake Eagle Watch: Carlyle
- Two Rivers National Wildlife Refuge: Offers a family eagle watching day and open house
- Pere Marquette State Park: Grafton
- Mississippi River Visitor Center: Rock Island, Eagle Watch/Clock Tower Tours
- Fulton-Mason Eagle Day (Havana & Lewistown) on Feb. 1 at 9 a.m.
Additionally, bald eagles have been found wintering throughout Illinois at locations including:
- Illinois and Michigan Canal and Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal in northeast Illinois
- Locations all along the Illinois River; along open waters on the Du Page River and Fox River in northeast Illinois, including Moraine Hills State Park, McHenry; at Volo Bog State Natural Area, Ingleside
- Along the Des Plaines River near Channahon State Park, Channahon;
- Near the I-88 bridge in North Aurora on the Fox River; on the Fox River at the Pleasant Valley Forest Preserve in Woodstock
- Along the Rock River at locations including Lowden State Park in Oregon, Illinois
For best viewing times, it is recommended to visit to watch the eagles around 7–11 a.m. You can find additional locations across the state here.
